The recent convening of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) session in Geneva has once again thrust Indonesia’s human rights record into the international spotlight.  The nation’s representatives found themselves in a defensive posture as they grappled with probing inquiries regarding Indonesia’s commitment to upholding human rights and political freedoms. This article seeks to unravel the intricate …

Japan is a East Asian country with a population of about 126 million and a GDP of about $5 trillion. The country is known for its advanced technology, rich culture, and pacifist constitution. The country is a close ally of the U.S. and a member of the G7, the UN, and other international organizations. China is a neighboring country of …

The recent experience of a Hong Kong student studying in Japan has generated intelligent debate and reflection throughout the Asia-Pacific region. This episode has sparked a reevaluation of the difficulties experienced by Hong Kong students studying overseas, as well as the need of creating a friendly and inclusive atmosphere for international students. The case of the Hong Kong student, as …

Indonesia – Indonesia may be facing another legal crisis as the  controversial draft criminal law is imminent (a complete review of the current criminal law). Deputy Minister of Justice and Human Rights Edward Omar Sharif Heariezi said the  law  should be passed by July this year at the latest, but the date has not been released. A draft of the …

Asean – The UN rights chief will go to China’s Xinjiang province next week for a visit that will be closely scrutinized by the world community amid demands that she speak out against crimes against the country’s Uyghur minority. Michelle Bachelet will begin a six-day trip to China on Monday, after years of asking for “meaningful and unrestricted” access to …

UAE – The UAE, a small nation of just 50 years old, has made great strides in almost all fields, including human rights, social justice and human development. A statement issued by Saeed Al Hebsi, Director of Human Rights at UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International has said before that every country has its own laws and legal institutions; …

UAE – NHRI Chairperson Maqsoud Kruse, has said that the UAE’s National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) will work very closely with its international counterparts, including the United Nations. This was said according to the release of the annual reports outlining the status of human rights in the country. Kruse added that the main objective is to make sure that everyone …

Indonesia – The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) has shared that it expects policemen, particularly judges, to reexamine capital punishment, given its slow annulment in certain nations. In view of this, Just some nations including Indonesia, actually take on capital punishment. This is what Chairman of Komnas HAM Ahmad Taufan Damanik expressed here. His assertion was made because of …

Malaysia – According to human rights organization Pusat Komas, which tracked 51 such events posted on online news media last year, Malaysia has experienced an increase in publicized incidences of racial discrimination. Pusat Komas, which has collected complaints of acts of racism for the previous seven years and released its “Malaysia Racial Discrimination Report 2021” on March 21, stated there …

Myanmar – According to a Cambodian foreign ministry official, a Southeast Asian special envoy will visit Myanmar from March 20 to 23, in an attempt to start a peace process in a nation ravaged by turmoil since a coup a year ago. Last month, Cambodia’s foreign minister, Prak Sokhonn, requested Myanmar’s governing generals to allow him to speak with all …